Don’t let JD Vance’s law school smugness fool you

Critics of President Donald Trump often say, “This is not normal.” However, what is considered “normal” is determined by what a society is willing to accept. A prime example is the administration’s handling of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to a harsh El Salvadoran prison. The administration now claims it cannot bring him back, potentially normalizing the extrajudicial deportation of undocumented immigrants like Abrego Garcia and even U.S. citizens.

Vice President JD Vance has joined other voices in Trump’s Cabinet in justifying Abrego Garcia’s deportation, disregarding the principle of due process. Vance has been spending time engaging with journalists on social media, arguing that the concept of “due process” is subject to various factors and resources.

However, the issue of due process for Garcia is not up for debate, as established by the Fifth Amendment in 1791 and reiterated by Justice Antonin Scalia in 1993. Despite Vance’s attempts to justify the deportation, Garcia has not been charged or convicted of any crime in the U.S.

The government claims Garcia is affiliated with MS-13 based on a 2019 police assessment, a claim disputed by Garcia’s family and attorneys. The administration’s defiance of court orders to bring Garcia back and their lack of cooperation suggest a troubling disregard for constitutional rights.

As the administration continues to evade accountability and distort the truth, it becomes crucial for Americans to demand transparency and adherence to constitutional principles. The normalization of such actions could lead to further erosion of the country’s foundational values.

It is imperative to put an end to this and hold the administration accountable for its actions.